Review by Felix on March 31, 2023.

Once there was a time when old men were just sitting around uselessly, ranting, drinking alcohol or arguing with their old lady. But today they record thrash metal albums! Or, less good but still acceptable, they write reviews for thrash metal albums. Here, dear gray-haired or bold-headed community, comes another one for Seven Words.

Perhaps it is an exaggeration to claim that Xentrix are getting better and better the older they grow. But false modesty would also be out of place. So let’s say the four-piece is a reliable supplier of thrash with class. Their sixth full-length (the fifth one with a relevance, because the stylistically disoriented Scourge can and must be ignored) does not lack the necessary ingredients. Energetic vibes, powerful riffing, tempo shifts between mid- and fast-paced sections, a male and vigorous voice, what more do you want? An audible bass? Always these special wishes – but okay, just listen to the stomping mid-tempo roller called 'Everybody Loves You When You’re Dead' (Adolf H. and some other criminals disagree). By the way, this song does not only feature an effective bass performance. It belongs to the top pieces, because the chorus is raw yet catchy and the riffing almost irresistible. 'Reckless With A Smile' also does not concentrate on high velocity, but its very vital, partly earworm-like guitar approach reveals the remarkable song-writing skills of the band.

Especially the rather mid-paced focussed songs show that Xentrix have a weakness for the guitar work of Testament or the better pieces of Metallica. It does not matter. Xentrix have almost always been this way and there is nothing wrong with it. Their authenticity is undeniable at the latest after this second album since the comeback. There are no mayflies on the road here. And compared with the aforementioned big dogs, they are able to add more than only 10% extra power to the sharply attacking guitars. Not only the aggressive title track lets sparks fly. The same goes for the vigorous opener and 'Ghost Tape Number 10' is not willing to make compromises as well. Almost even better, it has nothing in common with the band’s dubious 'Ghost Buster' cover from 1990. But cover songs are definitely not the core competence of the band – the bonus track of Seven Words is the precise opposite of any kind of bonus and not worth mentioning. Or has the prime minister of infantile shock effects, also known as Alice Cooper, ever had even one good song?

Fortunately, each and every of the ten regular songs adds value to Seven Words, an album which is committed to old school thrash with every fibre of its body. The modern production does not counteract the musical concept. Instead, it underlines that the original, authentic and only real thrash metal is still a relevant factor – 40 years after its birth... and I write this review 54 years after my birth. Soon I will join the ranks of the old men I have mentioned at the beginning of this review. I will be in a constantly bad mood, I promise, but from time to time I will still listen to a good thrash album. Seven Words will be a candidate.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10